MARK Rail plan would require major upgrades along Milwaukee-Chicago route

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By JIMMY NESBITT

Special to The Daily Reporter

Bringing the MARK Rail line to life would require years of infrastructure upgrades along an existing freight rail corridor linking Milwaukee to Chicago.

A presentation from a March 2 rail commission meeting lays out the extensive list of projects, which includes new tracks and stations, additional traffic control devices and signals and a host of bridge improvements.

A total of 22 bridges along the corridor connecting Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha with Chicago would require repairs and at least six bridges would need to be replaced. The most significant undertaking, the commission said, would be replacing the Kinnickinnic River Bridge, a historic swing bridge constructed in 1908.

Other improvements include adding new wooden ties, improving grading and drainage, grade crossing upgrades and new maintenance and storage facilities.

Supporters of the project say it would spur investment and development in lakeshore communities along the route and help raise incomes by improving access to employment centers.

The MARK effort builds on decades of earlier work on the KRM (Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee) commuter rail project, which went through detailed studies from the late 1990s through 2011.

Cudahy joins rail commission

At its March 2 meeting, the commission unanimously approved the city of Cudahy as its newest member community, expanding the group’s regional membership. The founding members of the commission are Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha.

Cudahy officials believe the regional passenger rail service could bring long-term economic development and mobility benefits to the area, according to Leslie Flynn, the city’s communications director.

“Cudahy is located along the proposed corridor adjacent to Mitchell International Airport and sees participation as an opportunity to help shape the project, ensure local priorities are considered, and position the city for future transit-oriented development, improved connectivity to job centers, and enhanced property values,” Flynn said in an email. “Joining the commission also allows Cudahy to have a formal voice in discussions as the project advances through federal review.”

The MARK Rail Commission is working with the Federal Railroad Administration to determine the next steps needed to enter the federal Corridor Identification and Development Program.

The program was established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to guide the development of intercity passenger rail corridors across the country. According to the FRA website, each corridor selected by the program receives a $500,000 grant that can be used for development efforts.

“Advancing into more detailed environmental and engineering review phases will depend on program entry, which will result in securing additional funding and formal entry into the FRA’s project development pipeline,” Flynn said. “The commission remains engaged with federal officials and is preparing the groundwork necessary to move forward when funding opportunities become available.”

While the commission’s March 2 presentation identified a number of infrastructure improvements needed for the passenger rail, Flynn said that specific needs in Cudahy will be determined during the next phase of engineering and environmental study.